MARCH 13, 2017: I've come away from a meeting with Adani representatives in Brisbane this morning heartened by assurances that up to 1000 jobs will come on line by mid-year and Mackay workers will be actively encouraged to apply.There are 1000 jobs in the mix as Adani moves into pre-construction work later this year and these jobs will be advertised directly in Mackay as well as regionally, and Mackay workers will be encouraged to apply for these jobs.I met with a key spokesperson today to lobby them for a greater commitment to assist Mackay regional residents being able to apply for positions that may become available with their mine and associated works.These jobs will be in fields such as earthworks, fencing, building dams; all that is required for setting up the basic infrastructure for the mine site.There will also be construction jobs associated with the rail line from the Galilee Basin mine to the port of Abbot Point.These construction jobs will go on for two and a half years, so the employment prospects for workers are imminent and significant.This is the guarantee we’ve got from Adani today and the entire community should take great heart from these very clear assurances.I have also agreed to liaise further with Adani about operational employment for Stage One of the Carmichael mine, and we will look to see how Mackay could work in with Adani’s plans.